By Andi Anderson
Iowa Learning Farms is hosting a cover crop field day on Tuesday, August 27, from 10 a.m. to noon at Bill Hammitt’s farm near Portsmouth, Iowa.
This free event, open to farmers and landowners, aims to provide attendees with valuable insights into the best management practices for establishing and managing cover crops. A complimentary meal will also be provided.
Cover crops offer numerous benefits to farmers and landowners, including reduced soil erosion, improved weed suppression, and decreased nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into water bodies.
Additionally, cover crops help increase organic matter in the soil, enhancing overall soil health. When combined with no-tillage practices, these benefits are further amplified, leading to increased water infiltration and reduced erosion during heavy rainfall.
Bill Hammitt, the host of the event, has been using no-till methods since the 1980s to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and conserve energy and moisture. He emphasizes the importance of soil health, stating, "Soil health not only benefits yield but conserves the resource.
No-till and cover crops are the best recipe for good soil health.” Hammitt has recently incorporated camelina before corn and winter cereal rye before soybeans into his crop rotation.
He utilizes various seeding methods, including drilling and drone applications, and will share his experiences and lessons learned for successfully integrating cover crops into a no-till system.
The field day will feature a rainfall simulator demonstration from Iowa Learning Farms and a cover crop drone seeding demonstration by Mark Archibald of Universal Aerial Solutions.
Nick Warner, owner of Armour Ag, will discuss how cover crops and no-till practices contribute to building and maintaining soil health. Additionally, Luke Zaiger, Harrison County NRCS district conservationist, will provide information on current cost-share opportunities for these practices.
The event will be held at the Hammitt Farm, located at 3620 240th St., Portsmouth, Iowa.
Directions: From Portsmouth, head west on IA-44 for 5 miles, turn right on Toledo Avenue for 1 mile, and then turn right on 240th St. for 0.2 miles. The farm is on the south side of the road, with field day signs marking the driveway.
While the event is free, reservations are required to ensure sufficient space and food. To RSVP or request reasonable accommodations, contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu by August 21.
Attendees will also be entered into a drawing for Iowa State Prairie Strips honey, adding a sweet bonus to the day.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-nicexray
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Education